Detonating fuze

ABSTRACT

A high-low temperature shock-wave propagating fuze having a braided fiberglass lining overlying a radially exploding mild detonating cord. An abrasive resistant, flexible non-metallic covering surrounds the lining and contains radial explosion and debris thereof without rupture between temperatures of -100* F. and +400* F.

United States Patent Travor 1 May 30, 1972 s41 DETONATING FUZE [56]References Cited [72] Inventor: Bruce Travor, Holland, Pa. UNITED STATESPATENTS 1 Assisnw The United of America 88 3,129,663 4/1964 Schnepfe,Jr. ..1o2/27 "P by of Army 3,296,968 1/1967 Shulman et a1. 102/27 221Filed: Sept. 22, 1970 Primary Examiner-Verlin R. Pendegrass 1 PP NW74,486 Attorney-Harry M. Saragovitz, Edward J. Kelly, Herbert BerlRelated US. Application Data and [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.770,962, Oct. 28, [57] ABSTRACT 1968, abandoned.

A hlgh-low temperature shock-wave propagatlng fuze having 52 U.S. c1...102/27 R a braided fiberglass lining ver|yin8 radially P s [51] Inn 12 19/08 detonating cord. An abrasive resistant, flexible non-metallic 58Field olSearch ..102 27,7o covering Surrounds the lining and conlainsradial explosion and debris thereof without rupture between temperaturesof --l00 F. and +400 F.

4 Claims, 1 Drawing figure DETONATING FUZE This application is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 770,962, filed Oct. 28,1968 and now abandoned.

This invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensedby or for the Government for governmental purposes without the paymentto me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to detonating fuzes, and more particularly, to ashock-wave propagating mild detonating fuze in which a braidedfiberglass lining overlies a radially exploding mild detonating cord.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a shockwavepropagating mild detonating fuze which is of light weight constructionand which satisfactorily functions between temperatures of-l F. and +400F.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a highlow temperaturefuze which has flexible versatility and is abrasion resistant,withstanding rapid radial expansion without rupture, and wherein gaseousescapement is precluded.

These and other objects, features and advantages will become moreapparent from the following description and accompanying drawing inwhich the sole FIGURE is a longitudinal sectional view, partially brokenaway of a preferred fuze construction embodying the principles of theinvention.

The high-low temperature, shock-wave propagating fuze, shown generallyat 10, ha the ends of core 11 of a mild detonating cord in an abuttingrelationship with a corresponding body of high explosive 12 positionedin a suitable container 13 that is partially exposed from within thealuminum retaining sleeve 14 prior to connection with an appropriatefitting (not shown) as facilitated by the annular sleeve flange 15. Thesubstantial length of core 11, having one grain per foot of PETN orequivalent, has an overlying layer of braided fiberglass 17 upon whichthere is a layer of white vinyl plastic tubing 18. A triple layer ofbraided fiberglass l9 overlies the vinyl l8 and has a high-lowtemperature flexible covering 20 extending over the predetermined fuzelength between corresponding crimped sleeve inner end portions 21. Anappropriate epoxy resin 22 securely mounts the fuze portions to theinner surface of the sleeve 14 which is stepped dimensions toaccommodate varying dimensions of the fuze portions.

The flexible, non-metallic covering 20 is of abrasion resistantfluorinated ethylene polymer (F.E.P.) tubing which is heat shrinkableand has a non-rigid molecular structure and expansion characteristicthat enables withstanding a predetermined rapid radial expansion priorto contraction to its pre-expansion size. The F.E.P. tubing ha a wallthickness within the range of 0.10 to 0.25 inches with a preferredthickness of 0.010 inches providing maximum flexibility. Some of theradially exploded debris during shown-wave propagation are absorbed bythe innermost fiberglass and vinyl, and the remainder of the debris isabsorbed by the triple layer of fiberglass 19 which expands radiallywith its flexible covering 20 that assuringly contains the radiallyexploded debris without rupturing between operating temperatures of l00F. and +400 F.

The light weight, shock-wave propagating, mild detonating fuze hasincreased versatility in that predeterminedly dimensioned cut lengths offlexible fuze covering finds use in various locations which heretoforewere accessably restricted.

Various modifications, alterations or changes may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a shock-wave propagating mild detonating fuze having a braidedfiberglass lining overlying a mild detonating cord which explodesradially,

means for containing radial explosion and debris without ruputre duringshock wave propagation operational temperatures between --l00 F. and+400 F. said means including an abrasion resistant flexible non-metalliccovering surrounding said lining, and

a body of high explosive positioned at end portions of said cord.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said covering is a heat shrunkmaterial.

. The structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said covering isfiuorinated ethylene polymer tubing.

4. The structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubing has athickness in the range of 0.010 to 0.025 inches.

0 Q t '0 I

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said covering is a heat shrunkmaterial.
 3. The structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcovering is fluorinated ethylene polymer tubing.
 4. The structureaccording to claim 3 wherein said tubing has a thickness in the range of0.010 to 0.025 inches.